Rubber armored rifle scope with integrated external laser sight

ABSTRACT

A laser sighting device includes a sighting scope, an objective lens, an ocular assembly, a laser locator, an illumination unit, and an operation switch, which is provided on the sighting scope to operate the telescopic sighting device at least between a laser mode and an illumination mode, wherein in the laser mode, the laser locator is arranged to generate a laser beam toward a target from an exterior of the sighting scope, wherein in the illumination mode, the illumination unit is arranged to generate illumination toward the objective lens from within the sighting scope so that a user is able to observe an illumination pointer through the ocular lens irrespective of whether the laser locator is activated.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation-In-Part application of a non-provisionalapplication having an application Ser. No. 12/686,352, filed Jan. 12,2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to sighting devices for firearms and moreparticularly to laser-assisted sights coupled with optical telescopes.

2. Description of Related Arts

Laser sights and optical telescopes serve to improve the shootingaccuracy of firearms. Telescopes have been developed to mount on afirearm to provide a shooter with better aim. To further enhance theexperience in shooting a firearm, some mounted telescopes can be coupledwith a laser sight to provide a shooter with an additional point of aimincrease or enhance the accuracy of a shot.

In general, a laser sight is mounted onto a telescope as a separatedetachable component of a scope. These types of laser sight attachmentsfunction independently of the telescope, requiring separate andadditional batteries to power the laser and separate switches to turnthe laser on and off.

Other scopes in the prior art may have the laser sight attached to thetelescope. In this type of scope, the laser sighting component of thescope functions completely independently of the telescope requiringdifferent and additional batteries for the laser component of the scope.

Due to the independent nature of laser sights that are detachable orpermanently affixed to a telescope, aiming and shooting a firearm withthese existing laser enhanced scopes is cumbersome with respect to thelocation of the laser, the detachable parts, and additional batteriesadding to the bulk of the scope.

Accordingly, a need to improve the shooter experience with lesscumbersome and bulky scopes exists. There is the need to streamline andmake convenient the use of, including the control of the functions of alaser sight and optical scope.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a laser sight and anoptical telescope as a single unit, wherein the laser sight assembly isattached to the optical telescope as a non-removable component of thescope.

Another advantage of the invention is provide a laser sightingapparatus, wherein the telescope portion of the device may include areticle. Illumination of the laser and the reticle of the telescope maybe powered by a single power source or battery and controlled by asingle controller. The controller may be, for example, a rheostat knob.The rheostat knob may also control the simultaneous illumination of thelaser and the reticle, the illumination of the laser only, and theillumination of the reticle only. The rheostat knob may also illuminatethe reticle with five levels of brightness.

In another embodiment of the invention, the power source or battery ofthe device may be contained or housed within a controller, for example,a rheostat knob. This power source or battery provides the power toilluminate both the laser and the reticle of the scope.

There is disclosed an apparatus/device for laser sighting, the apparatuscomprising a laser and a scope comprising a reticle, the laser and scopecoupled together forming a single integrated unit, wherein the laser andthe reticle are powered by a single power source, and illumination ofsaid laser and said reticle are controlled by a single controller,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

There is further disclosed a mountable optical scope with external lasersighting according to an embodiment of the present invention in which,the optical scope with external laser sighting comprises a laserintegrally coupled with the scope as a single unit, the laser beingnon-removable from the unit within an integrally connected laserhousing. The scope with laser sighting according to the embodiment,further comprises a power source located next to the laser housing andelectrically configured for powering the laser; a reticle located withinthe scope and illuminated by the power source, said reticle having atleast two levels of brightness; and a single controller configured tocontrol both the powering of the laser and illumination of the reticle,wherein the power source is housed within the controller.

There is also disclosed an apparatus for laser sighting according to anembodiment of the present invention in which, the apparatus comprises alaser coupled with a scope as a single unit, wherein the laser is anon-removable component of the unit, integrated to the side of the scopeand powered by a power source, wherein the scope contains a reticle thatis capable of illumination by the power source, said reticle having atleast two levels of brightness.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparentfrom the description which follows, and may be realized by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appendedclaims.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects andadvantages are attained by providing a laser sighting device,comprising:

a sighting scope defining a bell portion, a body portion and an eyepieceportion, wherein the sighting scope has a receiving cavity formed alongthe bell portion, the body portion and the eyepiece portion;

an objective lens mounted at the bell portion of the sighting scope forfocusing light at a focal point in the body portion of the sightingscope;

an ocular assembly comprises an ocular lens provided at the eyepieceportion of the sighting scope for magnifying the light from the focalpoint;

a laser locator which is mounted at the body portion of the sightingscope, and comprises a laser emitter arranged to generate a laser beamtoward a target;

an illumination unit coupled with the ocular assembly and is arranged toselectively provide illumination toward the ocular assembly; and

an operation switch provided on the sighting scope to operate thetelescopic sighting device at least between a laser mode and anillumination mode, wherein in the laser mode, the laser locator isarranged to generate a laser beam toward a target from an exterior ofthe sighting scope, wherein in the illumination mode, the illuminationunit is arranged to generate illumination toward the objective lens fromwithin the sighting scope so that a user is able to observe anillumination pointer through the ocular lens irrespective of whether thelaser locator is activated.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top, left perspective view of a laser sighting device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom, right perspective view of the laser sighting deviceof FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the laser sighting device of FIG. 1,according to embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the laser sighting device of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the laser sighting device of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the laser sighting device of FIG. 1according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the laser sighting device of FIG. 1 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the laser sighting device of FIG. 1 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is another left side view of a laser sighting device according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a laser sighting device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional side view along the I-I line of FIG. 10 ofa laser sighting device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional top view along the II-II line of FIG. 9 ofa laser sighting device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional perspective view of the rheostat knob ofthe laser sighting device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a laser sighting device accordingly to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a laser sighting device according to asecond preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the laser sighting deviceaccording to the above second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 17 is a sectional side view of the laser sighting device accordingto the above second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B are schematic diagrams of the laser sightingdevice according to the above second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The description above and below and the drawings of the present documentfocus on one or more currently preferred embodiments of the presentinvention and also describe some exemplary optional features and/oralternative embodiments. The description and drawings are for thepurpose of illustration and not limitation. Those of ordinary skill inthe art would recognize variations, modifications, and alternatives.Such variations, modifications, and alternatives are also within thescope of the present invention. Section titles are terse and are forconvenience only.

FIG. 1 is a top, left side perspective view of a laser sighting devicein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Generally,the device 110 comprises a laser sighting assembly and an ocularsighting assembly, wherein the laser sighting assembly and the ocularsighting assembly serve as a single unit, the laser sighting assembly anon-removable component of the device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the ocular sighting assembly of thedevice may be a telescope. The telescope component of the device, mayinclude an eyepiece portion 130 and an objective lens portion 140. Theeyepiece portion 130 may comprise of ocular lens assemblies as known inthe art and a reticle 76 coupled with a light-emitting diode (LED) 74,as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 12. In an embodiment of theinvention, the reticle 76 of the eyepiece portion 130 may be illuminatedusing LED 74. The objective lens portion 140 of an exemplary embodimentof the invention may comprise of a lens cap 1, objective lenses 9, 11,and other parts of an objective lens portion of a telescope as known inthe art.

In an embodiment of the invention, a controller controls theillumination of the reticle. The controller may be, for example, arheostat knob 58 terminating with a rubber coated cap 69. In oneembodiment, the rheostat knob 58 is marked with a series of numbers 200,numbers “0” through “5” located next to the rubber coated cap 69 asshown in FIG. 10. The numbers represent different settings for theillumination of the reticle. The “0” setting provides no illumination tothe reticle. The “1”, “2”, “3”, “4” and “5” settings represent differentlevels of illumination or the reticle. For example, the “1” settingprovides the lowest level of brightness to the reticle whereas the “5”setting provides the brightest.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 12 show the top view and top cross-sectional view of thelaser sighting assembly attached to the telescope component according toembodiments of the invention. The laser sighting assembly may bepositioned such that the laser diode module 53 emits a beamsubstantially along the same optical axis of the telescope, as shown inFIG. 7.

In an embodiment of the invention, the controller that controls theillumination of the reticle 76 also controls the illumination of thelaser 53. In one embodiment, for example, a rheostat knob 58 controlsboth the reticle 76 illumination and the laser 53 illumination. Inanother embodiment, the rheostat knob 58 may control the on/off functionof the laser, allowing the laser to be turned off while the reticleillumination is turned on, or alternatively, allowing the laser to beturned on while the reticle illumination is turned off. Additionally,the rheostat knob 58, may also control the simultaneous illumination ofboth the laser and the reticle. In one embodiment of the invention, therheostat knob 58 provides setting “L” for laser illumination only andsetting “B” to illuminate both the laser and the reticle. The rheostatknob 58 may, for example, be located on the left side of laser housing54 on the left side of the scope as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 12.

In an embodiment of the invention, a single energy source provides thepower to illuminate both the laser and the reticle. In anotherembodiment, the controller controls the illumination of the laser andthe reticle, and houses the energy source for the illumination. In oneembodiment as illustrated in FIG. 13, for example, the rheostat knob 58,may house a battery 64 for illuminating both the laser 53 and thereticle 76. In this embodiment of the invention, a battery 64 coupledwith an electronic circuit assembly comprising electrode printed circuitboards (PCBs) 59, switch PCB 63, and surface mounted technology (SMT)components 115, or other electronic circuitry known in the art, allowpower to be provided to the laser 53 and the reticle 76 from a singlesource. As shown, connection to the LED 120 and connection to the laser125 is provided. Batteries housed in the rheostat knob may be removable.

FIG. 2 illustrates the laser sighting assembly with a mounting unit 111.In an embodiment of the invention, the mounting unit 111 is attached tothe laser sighting device 110 and provides the means to mount the deviceonto a firearm. The mounting unit 111 may comprise of a release lever 42that allows the shooter to mount and lock, or unlock and release thedevice from a firearm.

In an embodiment of the invention, the laser sighting device 110 ismounted onto a firearm by loosening the locking nut 51 while the releaselever 42 is in the closed position pointing towards the eyepiece 130, asshown in FIG. 3 and the bottom view of FIG. 4. The locking nut 51 may beloosened by turning the nut counterclockwise. To mount the device, turnthe release lever 42 in the open position by pointing the release lever42 towards the objective lens. The set screw 49 may be loosened to fitthe mounting unit 111 to the rail of a firearm. The laser sightingdevice 110 may be seated on top of the firearm's rail with the objectivelens portion 140 pointing towards the muzzle of the firearm. When thepreferred position of the laser sighting device is attained, the releaselever 42 is positioned towards the eyepiece portion 130 in the closedposition as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6. To release the laser sightingdevice 110 from the firearm, open the quick release lever 42 and pivotthe device 110 in the direction of the locking nut 51.

In an embodiment of the invention, once the laser sighting device 110 isproperly mounted, an image of a target can be viewed and obtainedthrough the ocular lens 80. The focus control 73 can be used andadjusted to obtain a clear image of a target through the eyepiece 130.

In an embodiment of the invention, the telescope component of the lasersighting device 110 may be zeroed using the windage adjuster screw 18encompassed by the rubber turret cap 17 and elevation controller 29 asillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. In one embodiment, elevation is controlledwith the Bullet Drop Compensator 29 (BDC) located on top of the turrethousing 131 as shown in the cross sectional view of FIG. 11. In oneembodiment, twisting the elevation control 29 counter-clockwise movesthe reticle 76 crosshairs up, and twisting the elevation control 29clockwise moves the reticle 76 crosshairs down. In one embodiment of theinvention, for example, the BDC 29 is marked with numbers “1”, “2”, “3”,“4” and “5” as illustrated in FIG. 9. Each number may representincrements of one hundred yards. In one embodiment, the shootingdistance of the firearm may be adjusted by setting the BDC 29 to thenumber corresponding to the distances of one hundred to five hundredyards, in one hundred yard increments.

In another embodiment of the invention, the windage controller 18 islocated on the right side of the laser sighting device as shown in FIG.2 and FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the windage controller 18, asillustrated in FIG. 8 is an open target-style turret allowing ease ofaccess at anytime. In one embodiment, twisting the windage controller 18counter-clockwise will move the reticle 76 crosshairs to the right, andtwisting the windage controller 18 clockwise will move the crosshairs tothe left.

In another embodiment of the invention, a bore sighting device can beused to zero the laser sighting device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the laser 53 emitted from the lasersighting assembly may also be adjusted for windage and elevation withseparate controllers. In one embodiment, the laser elevation controller141 controls the elevation of the laser, as shown in FIG. 5. Forexample, twisting the laser elevation controller 141 counter-clockwisemoves the laser up, and twisting the laser elevation control 141clockwise moves the laser down. Additionally, twisting the laser windagecontroller 142 counter-clockwise moves the laser to the left, andtwisting the laser windage controller 142 clockwise moves the laser tothe right, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, a detailed exploded view of the device 110 isdescribed in which individual components of the exploded sections arediscussed, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Asmentioned, the device may comprise a telescope structure having anobjective lens portion 140 and an eyepiece portion 130. As shown, theobjective lens portion 140 is exploded to show the lens cap 1,protection glass 2, glass frame 3, and pin 4 for connecting the glassframe to the lens cap, and allowing the lens cap 1 to pivot openupwards. There is further an objective lens frame 7 having a lockingring for the lens frame 5 and a locking ring for the lens 6, a ring seal8 and objective lenses 9 and 11 having an internal ring for separatinglens 10. A ring seal 12 further engages with the objective lens 11 andhoused within body 14 having plate spring 13. This objective lensportion 140 is housed within a rubber 15 coating structure, furtherconnected to the turret housing 131.

On the right side of the turret housing 131 in FIG. 14, is integratedthe adjustment controls for the telescope sight which includes thehorizontal/windage controller 18 for the reticle crosshairs. As shown, aturret cap 16 terminates at the right with a rubber turret cap 17. Thewindage adjuster screw 18 is connected with the base 24 through ringseal 19, locking screw 20, anti-tightening screw 21, positioning spring22 and stop pin 23. On the vertical of the turret housing 131, isintegrated the elevation (up/down) adjustment of the telescope sight ofthe device, comprising a bullet drop compensator 29 encompassed within arubber turret cap 27 with turret cap 26, terminating with rubber turretcap 25. Housed within the bullet drop compensator 29 is elevationadjuster screw 33, scale place 32, adjustment handle 31, stop pin 30,spring 28, locking ring 34, adjuster nut 35 and base 36 with positioningpin 37 and spring 38.

At the bottom of the device 110 is the mounting unit 111 comprisingconnection block 39 attached to plate 43 and mount boby 46 with screws40, 41, pin 44, spring 45 and screws 47, 48, further connected to quickrelease lever 42, and adjuster plate 50 having set screw 49 and lockingnut 51. Loosening set screw 49 and locking nut 51 allows for adjustmentin attaching the device to a rail of a firearm.

FIG. 14 further shows the detailed exploded view of the integrated lasersighting assembly of the device. The assembly comprises laser housing 54encompassing laser diode module 53 and adjuster plate spring 52, havinglocking screw 55 for the laser elevation controller 141, and lockingscrew 56 for the windage controller 142, seal 57 against Rheostat knob58, adjacent to encompassing ring of rubber 60 adjacent to rubber cap69. Within the Rheostat knob 58 are the electronic components includingelectrode PCB 59, positioning spring plate 61, screw 62, switch PCB 63,battery 64, anode gasket 65, washer 66, battery cover spring 67 withbattery cover 68. The laser housing 54 is attached to the turret housing131 as a single unit, with screws 70 fastened through laser housing 54.Laser windage controller 142 as shown in FIG. 12, further adjusts laserwindage whereas elevation may be controlled by the separate laserelevation controller 141 as shown in FIG. 5

As further illustrated in FIG. 14, the exploded section of the eyepieceportion 130 and internal magnification tube with lens tube componentsare described. The eyepiece portion 130 extending from the rear of theturret housing 131 comprises a magnification ring 71, screw 72, rubbermagnification ring 73 housing blue light-emitting diodes 74, reticle 76,stop screw 75, eyepiece tube 77 housed within rubber tube 78 furtherencompassing locking ring for ocular lens 79, ocular lenses 80, 82separated by internal ring for separating lens 81, ring seals 83, 84,ocular lens frame 85, rubber ring 86 adjacent to glass frame 87 withprotection glass 88. The glass frame 87 connected to lens cap 89 througha pin allowing for the lens cap 89 to pivot open upwards. Internal tothe described eyepiece portion 130 is front joint 90, locking ring forlens 91, lens 92, separating ring 93 and washer 94, 107, magnificationtube 95, lens frame 96 with sleeve 97 for engaging with screw 98. Thestructure further comprising lenses 99, 108, locking rings for lens 100,102, lens frame 101, lens tube 103 adjacent to the rubber joint ring104, locking ring 105 and lamp holder 106.

In one embodiment of the invention, the laser sighting assembly maysight a target by projecting a laser dot onto the target. In thismanner, it may be unnecessary to use the telescope component of thelaser sighting device to sight the target. For example, a shooter usinga rifle mounted with the device could sight a target using the laserportion of the device without shouldering the rifle.

In another embodiment of the invention, the laser sighting device may beused as two sighting devices in one unit, telescope sighting and lasersighting.

In one embodiment, the telescope portion and the laser can be set toseparate points of aim. In this embodiment, the laser sighting devicecan be set to two separate points of aim, each at separate or differingdistances. For example, the telescope component can be adjusted to apoint of aim that matches the bullet's point of impact at one hundredyards. Concurrently, the laser's point of aim can be adjusted to matchthe bullet point of impact at twenty-five yards. This provides twoseparate sources of sighting in one unit.

In another embodiment of the invention, the laser sighting assembly hasadjustment controls that are independent of the telescope adjustmentcontrols. In this embodiment, the laser and telescope can be set toseparate points of aim. This allows two separate points of aim for twoseparate distances. For example, the telescope can be adjusted such thatits point of aim matches the bullet point of impact at one hundredyards. At the same time, the laser sight point of aim can be adjusted tomatch the bullet point of impact at twenty-five yards. In this regard,there would be two sources of sighting combined in one unit.

Additionally, in another embodiment of the invention, because the laserphysically projects a laser dot onto a target, laser and eye alignmentis unnecessary. For example, it would be unnecessary for a shooter toshoulder the rifle in a traditional manner in order to obtain a desiredshot placement. In an embodiment of the invention, the shooter canachieve the desired shot placement by holding the firearm in any manneras long as the laser dot is pointed on a target at a known distance.

In another embodiment, the laser and the telescope reticle points of aimcould be adjusted to the same bullet point of impact. For example, boththe laser and telescope reticle can be adjusted to match the bulletpoint of impact at one hundred yards. This positions the laser dot andthe telescope reticle to aligned together with a target. The laser dotacts as additional shot placement verification as well as aiding shotplacement in low light conditions.

Throughout the description and drawings, example embodiments are givenwith reference to specific configurations. It will be appreciated bythose of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can beembodied in other specific forms. Those of ordinary skill in the artwould be able to practice such other embodiments without undueexperimentation. The scope of the present invention, for the purpose ofthe present patent document, is not limited merely to the specificexample embodiments or alternatives of the foregoing description.

Referring to FIG. 15 to FIG. 17, and FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B of thedrawings, a laser sighting device according to a second preferredembodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in which the lasersighting device comprises a sighting scope 10′, an objective lens 20′,an ocular assembly 30′, a laser locator 40′, an illumination unit 50′,and an operation switch 60′.

The sighting scope 10′ defines a bell portion 11′, a body portion 12′and an eyepiece portion 13′, wherein the sighting scope 10′ has areceiving cavity 14′ formed along the bell portion 11′, the body portion12′ and the eyepiece portion 13′.

The objective lens 20′ is mounted at the bell portion 11′ of thesighting scope 10′ for focusing light at a focal point in the bodyportion 12′ of the sighting scope 10′. The ocular assembly 30′ comprisesan ocular lens 31′ provided at the eyepiece portion 13′ of the sightingscope 10′ for magnifying the light from the focal point.

The laser locator 40′ is mounted at the body portion 12′ of the sightingscope 10′, and comprises a laser emitter 41′ arranged to generate alaser beam toward a target. The illumination unit 50′ is coupled withthe ocular assembly 30′ and is arranged to selectively provideillumination toward the ocular assembly 30′.

The operation switch 60′ is provided on the sighting scope 10′ tooperate the laser sighting device at least between a laser mode and anillumination mode, wherein in the laser mode, the laser locator 40′ isarranged to generate a laser beam toward a target from an exterior ofthe sighting scope 10′, wherein in the illumination mode, theillumination unit is arranged to generate illumination toward the ocularassembly 30′ from within the sighting scope 10′ so that a user is ableto observe an illumination pointer through the ocular lens 30′irrespective of whether the laser locator 40′ is activated.

According to the second preferred embodiment, the sighting scope 10′ issubstantially circular in cross sectional shape in which a diameter ofthe bell portion 11′, the body portion 12′ and the eyepiece portion 13′are substantially the same.

The objective lens 20′ is mounted in the bell portion 11′ of thesighting scope 10′ and is arranged to transmit and focus light from anexterior of the sighting scope 10′ to the ocular assembly 30′. Note thatit is the first optical element which modifies light coming from anexterior of the sighting scope 10′. Note that the laser sighting deviceof the present invention is designed to have a compact size so that thepresent invention can be fitted onto firearms or guns of smaller sizes.

The ocular lens 31′ of the ocular assembly 30′ is provided at theeyepiece portion 13′ of the sighting scope 10′ for magnifying the imagecaptured by the objective lens 20′. As such, the shooter is able totelescopically observe the target at a distance and perform shootingfrom a position which is far away from where the target is positioned.The ocular assembly 30′ preferably comprises a plurality of ocular lens31′ spacedly mounted in the eyepiece portion 13′ for optimallymagnifying the image captured by the objective lens 20′.

The laser locator 40′ further comprises an emitter housing 42′ mountedon top of the body portion 12′ of the sighting scope 10′, wherein thelaser emitter 41′ is received in the emitter housing 42′ for selectivelygenerating a laser beam in front of the laser sighting device. Thus, theemitter housing 42′ serves to protect the laser emitter 41′ and mount iton top of the sighting scope 10′

On the other hand, the illumination unit 50′ comprises an illuminationhousing 51′ mounted at a bottom portion of the body portion 12′ of thesighting scope 10′, and a LED 52′ mounted in the illumination housing51′, wherein the LED is arranged to generate illumination toward theobjective lens 20′ for illustrating an illumination dot 80′ on theocular lens 31′ so as to assist the user to locate the target when he orshe is seeing through the ocular lens 31′.

The illumination unit 50′ further comprises an elevation adjustment knob53′ operatively provided on a top surface of the body portion 12′ of thesighting scope 10′ and is connected with the LED 52′ for controlling anelevation of the illumination dot 80′ as seen through the ocular lens30′. The elevation adjustment knob 53′ can be rotated to adjust theelevation of the illumination dot 80′ so that the user can be able toobserve that the firearm or the gun is aiming correctly at the target.

Moreover, the illumination unit 50′ further comprises an windageadjustment knob 54′ operatively provided on a side surface of the bodyportion 12′ of the sighting scope 10′ and is connected with the LED 52′for controlling an windage movement (i.e. left and right displacement)of the illumination dot 80′ as seen through the ocular lens 30′. Thus,the elevation adjustment knob 53′ can be rotated to adjust the windageof the illumination dot 80′ so that the user can be able to observe thatthe firearm or the gun is aiming correctly at the target.

In order to protect the elevation adjustment knob 53′ and the windageadjustment knob 54′, the illumination unit 50′ further comprises aplurality of protective caps 55′ removably coupled to the elevationadjustment knob 53′ and the windage adjustment knob 54′ respectively fornormally protecting the elevation adjustment knob 53′ and the windageadjustment knob 54′ from exposing to ambient environment, while allowingthe user to remove the corresponding protective cap 55′ for adjustingthe elevation adjustment knob 53′ and/or the windage adjustment knob54′.

The operation switch 60′ is provided on a side surface of the bodyportion 12′ of the sighting scope 10′ and is arranged to switch thelaser sighting device to operate between the laser mode and theillumination mode. More specifically, the operation switch 60′ comprisesa rheostat knob rotatably mounted on the body portion 12′ of thesighting scope 10′ in such a manner that the rheostat knob is capable ofrotating between eight positions.

At the first position, the rheostat knob is set to turn both the laseremitter 41′ and the LED 52′ off. At the second position, the rheostatknob is set to turn on the laser emitter 41′ only (FIG. 18A). At thethird position, the rheostat knob is set to turn on the LED 52′ onlywith maximum brightness. At the fourth position through the seventhposition, the rheostat knob is set to turn on the LED 52′ only withdiffering brightness, the fourth position being the brightest amongthese four positions, while the seventh position being the darkest amongthese four positions. At the eighth position, both the laser emitter 41′and the LED 52′ are turned on for assisting the user in aiming apredetermined target (FIG. 18B).

Note also that the laser dot 90′ and the illumination dot 80′ generatedby the laser emitter 41′ and the LED 52′ have different colors so thatthey can readily be identified by the user.

It is worth mentioning that the illumination unit 50′ further comprisesa reflective coating 56′ formed on an outer side of the objective lens20′, wherein the reflective coating 56′ is arranged to allow light frompassing from inside the sighting scope 10′ to an exterior thereof. Thus,when the illumination unit 50′ is turned on, the LED dot will onlyappear on the objective lens 20′ as seen from the ocular assembly 30′,and it cannot be seen from any other viewing angle, such as from outsidethe sighting scope 10′. This is not the same as for the laser dot 90′,because it is originated from outside the sighting scope 10′. Thus,anyone, including the user, may observe the laser dot 90′ when the laserbeam hits on a target.

Furthermore, the laser sighting device further comprises a mountingarrangement 70′ provided at a bottom portion of the body portion 12′ ofthe sighting scope 10′ for mounting onto a firearm. More specifically,the mounting arrangement 70′ comprises a mounting rail 71′ extendedalong a bottom portion of the body portion 12′ of the sighting scope10′, wherein the mounting rail 71′ is arranged to mount onto apredetermined firearm, such as a gun, for allowing the user to utilizethe laser sighting device when aiming a predetermined target.

Furthermore, the laser sighting device further comprises a cap apparatus100′ which comprises a plurality of protection covers 101′ and aplurality of cover links 102′ extended between the protection covers101′, wherein the cap apparatus 100′ is made of flexible materials andis shaped and size to allow the protection covers to mount on the frontand the rear side of the sighting scope for normally protecting theocular assembly 30′ and the objective lens 20′ respectively.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isexemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have beenfully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown anddescribed for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structuralprinciples of the present invention and is subject to change withoutdeparture from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes allmodifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

1. A laser sighting device, comprising: a sighting scope defining a bellportion, a body portion and an eyepiece portion, wherein said sightingscope has a receiving cavity formed along said bell portion, said bodyportion and said eyepiece portion; an objective lens mounted at saidbell portion of said sighting scope for focusing light at a focal pointin said body portion of said sighting scope; an ocular assemblycomprises an ocular lens provided at said eyepiece portion of saidsighting scope for magnifying said light from said focal point; to alaser locator which is mounted at said body portion of said sightingscope, and comprises a laser emitter arranged to generate a laser beamtoward a target; an illumination unit coupled with said ocular assemblyand is arranged to selectively provide illumination toward said ocularassembly; and an operation switch provided on said sighting scope tooperate said laser sighting device at least between a laser mode and anillumination mode, wherein in said laser mode, said laser locator isarranged to generate a laser beam toward a target from an exterior ofsaid sighting scope, wherein in said illumination mode, saidillumination unit is arranged to generate illumination toward saidobjective lens from within said sighting scope so that a user is able toobserve an illumination pointer through said ocular lens irrespective ofwhether said laser locator is activated.
 2. The laser sighting device,as recited in claim 1, wherein said laser locator further comprises anemitter housing mounted on top of said body portion of said sightingscope, wherein said laser emitter is received in said emitter housingfor selectively generating a laser beam in front of said laser sightingdevice, so that said emitter housing is arranged to protect said laseremitter and mount said laser emitter on top of said sighting scope. 3.The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 2, wherein saidillumination unit comprises an illumination housing mounted at a bottomportion of said body portion of said sighting scope, and a LED mountedin said illumination housing, wherein said LED is arranged to generateillumination toward said objective lens for illustrating an illuminationdot on said ocular lens so as to assist said user to locate said targetwhen said user sees through said ocular lens.
 4. The laser sightingdevice, as recited in claim 3, wherein said illumination to unit furthercomprises an elevation adjustment knob operatively provided on a topsurface of said body portion of said sighting scope and is connectedwith said LED for controlling an elevation of said illumination dot asseen through said ocular lens, wherein said elevation adjustment knob iscapable of being rotated to adjust said elevation of said illuminationdot.
 5. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 4, wherein saidillumination unit further comprises an windage adjustment knoboperatively provided on a side surface of said body portion of saidsighting scope and is connected with said LED for controlling an windagemovement of said illumination dot as seen through said ocular lens,wherein said elevation adjustment knob is capable of being rotated toadjust said windage of said illumination dot.
 6. The laser sightingdevice, as recited in claim 4, wherein said illumination unit furthercomprises a plurality of protective caps removably coupled to saidelevation adjustment knob and said windage adjustment knob respectivelyfor normally protecting said elevation adjustment knob and said windageadjustment knob from exposing to ambient environment.
 7. The lasersighting device, as recited in claim 5, wherein said illumination unitfurther comprises a plurality of protective caps removably coupled tosaid elevation adjustment knob and said windage adjustment knobrespectively for normally protecting said elevation adjustment knob andsaid windage adjustment knob from exposing to ambient environment. 8.The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 6, wherein said operationswitch is provided on a side surface of said body portion of saidsighting scope and is arranged to switch said laser sighting device tooperate between said laser mode and said illumination mode, wherein saidoperation switch comprises a rheostat knob rotatably mounted on saidbody portion of said sighting scope in such a manner that said rheostatknob is capable of rotating between eight predetermined positions. 9.The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 7, wherein said operationswitch is provided on a side surface of said body portion of saidsighting scope and is arranged to switch said laser sighting device tooperate between said laser mode and said illumination mode, wherein saidoperation switch comprises a rheostat knob rotatably mounted on saidbody portion of said sighting scope in such a manner that said rheostatknob is capable of rotating between eight predetermined positions. 10.The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 8, wherein said at saidfirst position of said rheostat knob, said rheostat knob is set to turnboth said laser emitter and said LED off, wherein at said secondposition of said rheostat knob, said rheostat knob is set to turn onsaid laser emitter only, wherein at said third position of said rheostatknob, said rheostat knob is set to turn on said LED only with maximumbrightness, wherein at said fourth position through said seventhposition of said rheostat knob, said rheostat knob is set to turn onsaid LED only with differing brightness, said fourth position being thebrightest among said fourth through seventh positions, while saidseventh position being the darkest among said fourth through seventhpositions, wherein at said eighth position, both of said laser emitterand said LED are turned on.
 11. The laser sighting device, as recited inclaim 9, wherein said at said first position of said rheostat knob, saidrheostat knob is set to turn both said laser emitter and said LED off,wherein at said second position of said rheostat knob, said rheostatknob is set to turn on said laser emitter only, wherein at said thirdposition of said rheostat knob, said rheostat knob is set to turn onsaid LED only with maximum brightness, wherein at said fourth positionthrough said seventh position of said rheostat knob, said rheostat knobis set to turn on said LED only with differing brightness, said fourthposition being the brightest among said fourth through seventhpositions, while said seventh position being the darkest among saidfourth through seventh positions, wherein at said eighth position, bothof said laser emitter and said LED are turned on.
 12. The laser sightingdevice, as recited in claim 10, wherein said laser dot and saidillumination dot generated by said laser emitter and said LEDrespectively have different colors.
 13. The laser sighting device, asrecited in claim 11, wherein said laser dot and said illumination dotgenerated by said laser emitter and said LED respectively have differentcolors.
 14. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 12, whereinsaid illumination unit further comprises a reflective coating formed onan outer side of said objective lens, wherein said reflective coating isarranged to allow light from passing from inside said sighting scope toan exterior thereof.
 15. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim13, wherein said illumination unit further comprises a reflectivecoating formed on an outer side of said objective lens, wherein saidreflective coating is arranged to allow light from passing from insidesaid sighting scope to an exterior thereof.
 16. The laser sightingdevice, as recited in claim 14, further comprising a mountingarrangement provided at a bottom portion of said body portion of saidsighting scope for mounting onto a firearm, wherein said mountingarrangement comprises a mounting rail extended along a bottom portion ofsaid body portion of said sighting scope, wherein said mounting rail isarranged to mount onto a predetermined firearm.
 17. The laser sightingdevice, as recited in claim 15, further comprising a mountingarrangement provided at a bottom portion of said body portion of saidsighting scope for mounting onto a firearm, wherein said mountingarrangement comprises a mounting rail extended along a bottom portion ofsaid body portion of said sighting scope, wherein said mounting rail isarranged to mount onto a predetermined firearm.
 18. The laser sightingdevice, as recited in claim 13, further comprising a cap apparatus whichcomprises a plurality of protection covers and a plurality of coverlinks extended between said protection covers, wherein said capapparatus is made of flexible materials and is shaped and size to allowsaid protection covers to mount on said front and said rear side of saidsighting scope for normally protecting said ocular assembly and saidobjective lens respectively.
 19. The laser sighting device, as recitedin claim 15, further comprising a cap apparatus which comprises aplurality of protection covers and a plurality of cover links extendedbetween said protection covers, wherein said cap apparatus is made offlexible materials and is shaped and size to allow said protectioncovers to mount on said front and said rear side of said sighting scopefor normally protecting said ocular assembly and said objective lensrespectively.
 20. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 17,further comprising a cap apparatus which comprises a plurality ofprotection covers and a plurality of cover links extended between saidprotection covers, wherein said cap apparatus is made of flexiblematerials and is shaped and size to allow said protection covers tomount on said front and said rear side of said sighting scope fornormally protecting said ocular assembly and said objective lensrespectively.